question about tinted windows with auto dimming mirror...
 

So the salesperson that is handling my BRZ pre order just called me and said any accessories I want installed by the factory I need to let him know by Monday at the latest...(I think that is good news!). Anyways I am planning on tinting my BRZ, not super dark but definitely tinted. I have never had an auto dimming mirror and I was curious as to how the tint affects it... I know it responds to light shining on it. I am a little worried about the combination of a tint and the auto dim feature... What are your guys experience with this type of set up? Would you go with an auto dim mirror or not? Why? THANKS!

Shouldn't mess anything up. My Legacy is tinted fairly light and doesn't have any negative effect. I can't speak for really dark tint though. I got the auto dimming mirror because the BRZ sits very low and I figure I'll have people's lights shining in my eyes a lot.

Unless you get limo tint you're ok. Even with the tint the light sensor in the auto diming mirror will still be able to sense the increase in light entering the cabin.

I haven't noticed any issues with the auto-dim in my '11 WRX and I have a 17% tint all around. The only reason I got the mirror was for the compass, it's something I use on a regular basis. The auto-dim feature really didn't matter to me, but I've found it somewhat helpful at night.

I will say that the auto-dim I had on my '02 WRX ended up breaking with the fluid leaking out of the mirror. I eventually had to replace it. I've heard of similar issues with BMW's auto dim mirrors. Not sure how the mirrors work, but there is a fluid inside that facilitates the auto-dim function.

If you don't plan on using the compass or homelink function, I wouldn't bother with it. They tend to break more often than not.

I have the auto dimming feature on my car and I don't like it at all. I prefer the manual and if you're tinting then I don't see the problem with auto dimming for you but I still wouldn't. And you save some money on top of that if you choose to not go with the auto dimming mirror. Just my honest opinion on it.

I went with the autodim so I could get the homelink... I hate having a garage door opener floating around the car. Like the others though, my tint hasn't caused me any issues. The only issue I could think of that is tint related are with GPS signal quality...

Sorry didn't answer the original question in my post... I don't have a preference for either the autodim or the manual option.

I don't think GPS would be affected especially since the windshield usually isn't tinted. Guess it would depend on where the antenna is located. I've never had issues with my phone locking in a gps signal in my car.

I have read issues regarding radar detectors and certain kinds of tint, but I haven't had any issues with my Valentine One.

Well there are no "factory" options besides the transmission choice.

There are port/dealer options and the mirror is one of those.

It's cheaper to buy the accessory mirror online and spend the 15 minutes installing it yourself.

That's what I thought too, but I went ahead and was a sucker to get the tint that supposedly would avoid giving me issues! I guess it didn't have metallic flakes or something which would have gave a faraday affect? Oh well, didn't cost much more...

I got Suntek Carbon tint which also doesn't have any metal in it. Couldn't be happier so far, especially in the summers with a leather interior.

The dimming mirror works by comparing the light coming from behind the car to the light in front of the car, when the headlights are on. So if you dim the incoming light it wont' get as dark. Essentially, the same effect. So tint is not an issue at all.

I believe that's what I have too... Slept many moon since then but Suntek rings a bell!

Right on, thanks for all the info... Going to have to talk to the salesperson because he made it sound like it was cheaper/better to do it now instead of waiting for the car to be delivered, then do it... Need the home link and I commute home at night.